The Kansas City Chiefs will head to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, later this month for training camp.

They’ll look to put a disappointing 2025 NFL season behind them. After a 6-11 record and missing the playoffs, Kansas City’s 90-man roster looks dramatically different. General manager Brett Veach reshuffled the pieces through free-agent departures, the 2026 NFL Draft, and undrafted free-agent signings.

The competition that takes place over the course of training camp and the preseason will determine whether new starters emerge or incumbents hold their ground heading into 2026.

Here are the top position battles to watch.

1. Chiefs’ right tackle battle has received the most attention so far

The Chiefs moved on from starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor, releasing him before his contract was up. It was a salary cap move, but Taylor had also dealt with injuries and penalty struggles throughout his time in Kansas City. Even if the Chiefs had found a way to keep Taylor around, they should have been seeking an upgrade.

There were expectations that Kansas City could address the offensive line in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, but the Chiefs made no additions at the position through either avenue. Their first move came after the draft, when they signed Indiana right tackle Kahlil Benson. Over the course of OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Benson became a legitimate threat to compete for the starting job.

The incumbent is Jaylon Moore, the team’s swing tackle from a season ago, who signed a 2-year, $30 million deal during the 2025 NFL free agency period. He’s getting paid like a starter. However, Benson is pushing for the role. And so is Esa Pole, an undrafted free agent from a year ago who was released during 53-man roster cuts and later claimed by the New York Jets. He was eventually released and returned to the Chiefs’ practice squad. Pole was promoted to the active roster late in the season when injuries depleted the tackle group and started at left tackle in Josh Simmons’ absence.

Three legitimate contenders for one starting spot. If Moore earns the job, he becomes more valuable as a re-signing candidate. If a younger player like Benson or Pole secures it, that would help lift the financial burden for a team already heavily invested in the offensive line.

2. Cornerback competition is one of the most important battles of camp

Kansas City moved on from virtually all of its cornerback depth this offseason. The Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, watched Jaylen Watson join McDuffie in Los Angeles via free agency, and lost Joshua Williams to the Tennessee Titans.

The team invested heavily to restock. First-round pick Mansoor Delane (No. 6 overall) is expected to compete for and win a starting outside cornerback spot. Opposite Delane could be second-year cornerback Nohl Williams, who is poised to be a breakout candidate after a sneaky-good rookie campaign. Williams needs to clean up his penalties, but his passer rating, allowed passes, passes defensed, and ability to come up as a tackler should endear him to the coaching staff.

Additionally, the Chiefs drafted Jadon Canady in Round 4, signed Kader Kohou from the Miami Dolphins (who is coming off a knee injury), and added veteran L’Jarius Sneed. That trio could be competing for snaps at the nickel corner position. That spot might have the most competition in the secondary.

They also have a veteran in Kristian Fulton, entering his second season with the team. A handful of undrafted free agents will compete for 53-man roster spots alongside second-year players Melvin Smith and Kevin Knowles.

The big thing to remember about this battle is versatility. Can these players line up inside and outside? Can they contribute on special teams? For bottom-of-the-roster cornerbacks, willingness to play on punt and kick return units as gunners for special teams coordinator Dave Toub could be the deciding factor.

3. No. 2 running back spot behind Kenneth Walker remains up in the air

The Chiefs invested significant free-agent dollars in Kenneth Walker, hoping he could transform Kansas City’s offense as a focal point in both the running and passing games. But the team also revamped the entire running back room behind Walker, aside from second-year player Brashard Smith.

Emari Demercado came over from the Arizona Cardinals. He brings breakaway speed and versatility between the tackles, in zone concepts, and as a pass catcher. He’s also a candidate to return kicks.

Fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson was an all-purpose weapon for the Nebraska Cornhuskers last season. While he didn’t get the majority of second-team reps during OTAs or mandatory minicamp, he could earn more opportunities in training camp with strong performances.

The dark horse is running back E.J. Smith, son of Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith. Toub has already named Smith as a potential option at the return specialist position.

Walker is the clear No. 1. Beyond that, this competition could play out in several different directions depending on what happens in St. Joseph.

4. Edge rusher battle is the least exciting but most important of the group

Kansas City has one starting edge rusher locked in: George Karlaftis. Beyond that, things remain up in the air.

Second-year defensive end Ashton Gillotte did not like how he played as a rookie and felt unlike his usual self. He’s motivated to get back to his game in 2026.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the former first-round draft pick, has had a disappointing NFL career to this point. This is a contract year, and his performance will determine what his next deal looks like. It also remains to be seen whether his next deal is with the Chiefs.

The wild card is No. 40 overall pick R Mason Thomas, an edge rusher out of Oklahoma who doesn’t fit Steve Spagnuolo’s typical profile. He could break onto the scene as a pass-rush specialist.

Second-year players Ethan Downs, who contributed late in the 2025 season, and Tyreke Smith add further depth. The Chiefs also added undrafted free agents VJ Anthony and Anthony Dunn.

What we know about Spagnuolo is that he tends to favor veterans. A player like Anudike-Uzomah or Gillotte could initially supersede some of the younger options on the depth chart, but performance will be the deciding factor. Who can generate consistent pressure opposite Karlaftis? That is the question Kansas City will seek to answer as training camp rolls on.